Tag Archives: Holiday Recipes

Holiday Rib Roast and Loaded Potatoes

In my family the holidays bring multiple generations into the kitchen. Like many clans, we have a handful of favorite holiday dishes that are made without fail each year. Pistachio-Crusted Rib Roast and Loaded Baked Potatoes are among my family’s favorite Christmas recipes. While the dishes may sound fancy, they are surprisingly simple to make. Follow the recipes carefully and you too can celebrate the holidays with these scrumptious seasonal eats: PISTACHIO-CRUSTED RIB ROAST Ingredients: 1 beef rib roast (2 to 4 ribs), small end, back bone removed (6 to 8 pounds) 1/2 cup unsalted shelled pistachios, finely chopped 1/4 … Continue reading →

Edible Christmas Masterpieces

Have you ever considered molding an igloo out of cream cheese to spice up your holiday buffet table? What about crafting a Christmas wreath from crescent rolls and chicken? Does it sound like something you’d leave to professional chefs? Well, think again. There are a slew of simple recipes that allow you to create amazing works of art for your holiday dinner table, without having to take a culinary arts course. Here are a couple of my favorites: CHICKEN AND CRESCENT ROLL CHRISTMAS WREATH Ingredients: 2 packages refrigerated crescent rolls 1/2 cup chopped red pepper 1/2 cup chopped frozen broccoli … Continue reading →

Cheap and Easy Chocolate Christmas Treats

To me, chocolate is as an essential part of Christmas as evergreens, stockings and St. Nick. I view the sweet treat as the gift that keeps on giving, which is why I try to incorporate it into as many holiday desserts as possible. The following chocolate recipes are simple, inexpensive, and more importantly, great to share. If you are looking for a delectable dish to contribute to a holiday party you are searching for homemade gifts to give to friends and family members, these recipes will do in a pinch: REINDEER SNACKS Ingredients: 12-ounce box Crispix cereal 1/2 cup butter … Continue reading →

Basic Mashed Potatoes

What are the holidays without mashed potatoes? I personally think that mashed potatoes are the ultimate comfort food. Done right, you may find yourself tasting just a few too many times as you are mashing them, because they are so delicious. Start with a basic mashed potato recipe, and then make it your own. This recipe makes five pounds of mashed potatoes, which should be plenty for a family holiday gathering. This recipe also freezes well, so feel free to store half away for a hectic holiday season weekday. I like to freeze leftovers in muffin cups and then once … Continue reading →

Make Your Own Christmas Feast

What are you serving for Christmas dinner? With such an auspicious occasion to celebrate you might consider giving Chef Boyardee a break for the night and instead whip up the following festive dishes for your family. It’s a fancy meal fit for a king, but you won’t have to spend all day in the kitchen preparing it. SHRIMP WITH HOMEMADE COCKTAIL SAUCE Ingredients: 32 to 40 medium to large cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined with tails intact Cocktail sauce (recipe below) 1 fresh lemon, sliced Parsley sprigs for garnish Directions: Spoon cocktail sauce into martini glasses. Place 8 to 10 … Continue reading →

Affordable Finger Foods for Your Holiday Party

Despite being in a recession, many families are still planning to host loved ones during the holiday season. Whether you are gathering to celebrate Christmas or are planning to toast the New Year, your get together will likely involve food. However, just because you’ve volunteered your home to be party central doesn’t mean you have to break the bank to impress your guests. There are hundreds of easy and affordable finger foods that make for prime party grub. The power is in the presentation. The following recipes may sound like typical finger food fare, but you can kick them up … Continue reading →

Holiday Muffins

Whether you are celebrating with just your immediate family or you’re hosting a house full of relatives, it’s nice to serve up a few special recipes on Christmas morning. Growing up my mom always made sure that we had fresh warm muffins on Christmas morning. After we opened all of our gifts she would go into the kitchen to whip up some Gingerbread Muffins while we inspected our loot from Santa Claus. This year I am trying out a new muffin recipe that I’m sure my entire family will love. It contains chocolate so I have no doubt that the … Continue reading →

Kicked Up Christmas Brownies

When a cookie just doesn’t cut it and cake is a bit too much, there’s the brownie. But, with the holiday season upon us a plain chocolate brownie just won’t do. Take a look at these kicked up recipes for Shortbread Brownies and adorable Christmas Snowmen Brownies: SHORTBREAD BROWNIES Ingredients: For the Crust: 1 cup butter or margarine 2 cups flour 1/2 cup sugar For the Brownie: 1/3 cup water 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 egg 1 package of your favorite brownie mix Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13-by-9-inch pan. To make crust: Cut butter into flour … Continue reading →

How to Make Lollipop Cookies and Gourmet Chocolate Truffles

Everything tastes better on a stick, right? That’s what state fair food vendors maintain anyway. Now you can bring the joy of snacking on a stick to your holiday party with this fun recipe for Chocolate Lollipop Cookies. Don’t let the name intimidate you, this recipe is very simple to make. What’s more, kids go crazy for these festive holiday cookies. The second recipe for Gourmet Chocolate Truffles is not as elaborate as it sounds. The chocolate treats that are mega-popular this time of year have the look and taste of a gourmet goodie, but the preparation is nowhere near … Continue reading →

Making Holiday Fudge and Other Chocolate Christmas Treats

You can’t go an entire holiday season without indulging in a little (or a lot) of fudge, right? (I’ll let my hips answer that one.) Actually, for years I lived a fudge-free life (save for the occasional slip up at a holiday party). But, then I found the simplest fudge recipe known to man. It makes creating fabulous fudge so easy it’s dangerous for people like me who have little will power when it comes to sweet treats. Add in my Super Simple Brownie recipe and the holidays are just a 10-pound accident waiting to happen. HOLIDAY FUDGE Ingredients: 12 … Continue reading →